riker



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

'0. L. BIKER.

COMBINED BOILER AND STEAM VACUUM PUMP. No. 287,579. Patented Oct. 30,1883 N. PETERS. P) mulho n lmr, Wasllinglam wvc,

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

, O. L. BIKER.

COMBINED BOILER AND STEAM VACUUM PUMP. No. 287,579 PatentedOct; 30,1888-;

N. PETERS. Pholwlilhugl'lphtr. Washington. D. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

oARRoLL' L. RI ER, 'OF'BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

C'OVMBINED BOILER ANDHSTEAM VACUUM-PUMP,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 287,579, dated October30, 1883,

Application filed April 26, i883. (No model.) I

1'0 atZZ whom it may concern: 7

- Be it known that I, CARROLL L. BIKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in a Combined Boiler and SteamVacuum-Pump, of which the*following is ,a specification, reference beinghadto the accompanying drawings, made a part thereof.

This invention relates to improvements in the methods of operating andin the'manner of constructing that class of steam water-ele- Vatorsknown as steam vacuum-pumps, in which, without the intervention of anymoving. part other than the check-valves, the steam is automaticallymade to force water out of the apparatus, and by subsequent condensationto cause its replenishment.

It consists in an improved method of exhausting the steam from theworking-chamber of the pump and from the steam-generator con nectedtherewith, of determinin g automatically the water-level in thegenerator, of regulating the water-supply thereto, and of exhausting thewater therefrom in the operation of the pump, and also in improveddevices for effectgeneral, of a pumping or working chamber into whichthe steam-pressure is brought to bearupon a column of water; asecondwaterchamber, (which may be used also as a steamcondensingcha1nber,) which communicates freely with the bottom of theworking-chamber, and is connected, preferably, at its upper end with thewater-supply and the discharge pipes of the pump, each fitted with acheckvalve; a quick-acting steam-generatorof maximum evaporating surfaceand of a minimum cubical capacity less than that of the working-chamber,to which it is connected by a steamdischarge pipe opening into itsupper. end a water-trapped steam-exhaust tube, of which one armterminates in the workingchamber, preferably immediately below the openend of the steam-supply pipe, and whose opposite arm opens freely intothe water-chamber, the delivery-pipe, or a-separate condenser 5' and afeed-orifice or feed-pipe for supplying water to the generator, eitherfrom the water-chamber, the working-chamber,or other source in whichthepressure is equivalent to that within said chambers, and whose capacityis so limited or admits of beingso adjusted as not to supply thegenerator with water except as required, nor faster than the supply 'isvaporized.

In the operation of my improved apparatus, the steam, rapidiy producedin the steam-generator, is at once discharged into the upper end of theworking-chamber,where, by its pressure upon the upper surface of thewater therein, it will force thiswater out until the waterlevel in thesteam-exhaust tube has dropped below the sealing point of the trap, andthus opened a free vent for the steam up into the water-chamber orcondenser. The water thus forced out of the working-chamber'into thewater-chamber will displace and drive out through the discharge-pipe anequal volume of water from the latter. The steam escaping through theexhaust-tube, will, by its condensation as it is emitted from the tube,create a' draft or suction therein which will operate to draw out all ofthe steam, not only from the working-chamber, but also from thegenerator,

creating a void, which the water previously forced into thewater-chamber will be compelled to flow back therefrom to fill, theconsequent void in the water-chamber being supplied by an inward flow offresh water from the supply-pipe. Whenthe working-chamber is refilled,the exhaust-tube will also refill and,

be sealed with water, to prevent an escape of steam,until thewater-level is reduced, as above described.

- My invention embraces various modifications in the general plan,arrangement, and construction of the' improved apparatus and in itsseveral details. In one form of the apparatus the working-chamber isformed or placed within the bottom of the water-chamber, so as to besurrounded thereby at top and sides, its walls being made non-conductingof heat; In another form. the working-chamber is apart from thewater-chamber, the two being connected by a pipe leading from the bottomof the one to the other. In one'form' of my apparatus thesteam-generator consists of a tubular coil. In another I employ agenerator composed of concentric, dished,or concaved copper plates,united at their edges, leaving a very shallow narrow interval betweenthe two in which to vaporize the water. The steam generator may beplaced wholly under the workingchamber, or constructed to encircle it,the outer wall of the chamber being made in such cases, as far aspossible, nonconducting. In some instances I use a simple bent tube andin others an inner tube within an outer concentric case, to form thetrapped steam-exhaust leading from the working to the water chamber.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical section of myimproved steam vacuum water-elevator in the form which I deem bestadapted for general use. Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views illustratingmy invention in simplest form; and Figs. 4 and 5are similar viewsillustrating modifications therein, as hereinafter described.

Hy invention admits of exemplifieation in two general formsviz., withthe steam pumping or working chamber and the water-chamber apart fromeach other, the two being connected by suitable steam and water pipes,as shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5, or with apumping orworking chambercompletely inclosed within the water chamber and communicating freelytherewith, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In each of the figures, A represents the working-chamber, and B thewater-ehambe12 In the simple form of apparatus shown in Fig. 2 theworking-chamber A consists of a cylindrical vessel constructed withthick walls of nonconducting material, and which is closed at top andopen at bottom. This vessel is supported within an outer cylindrical,

water-chan1ber, B, also closed at the top, and whose lower end is fittedupon a steam-generator, 0, preferably constructed of sheet metal, in aconical or concavo-convex form, with an exceedingly narrow or shallowinterval between its upper and lower plates, so as to present thelargest possible area of surface with the smallest containing capacity.A small supply-opening, D, controlled by avalve, connects the bottom ofthe water-chamber B wit-h the lowest portion of the conicalsteamgenerator 0. An open pipe, E,(see also Fig. 3,) projects from theupper portionor apex of this generator upward within the workingchamberA, nearly to the top thereof. An open exhaust-tube, F,extends from apoint at about one-quarter of the height of the working-chamber aboveits lower end up into the water-chamber, and terminates at or about themiddle thereof. This exhaust-tube F is trapped by means of a concentricencirclingtube, G, closed at the bottom, and which extends up nearly tothe top of the chamber A; or it may be trapped by bending it andextending its inner end'upward within the working-chamber, as shown inFigs. 3 and 4. This simple pumping apparatus is completed by fitting tothe upper end of the water-chamber B a feed or suction pipe, H, toconnect it with a suitable source of supply, and with a discharge-pipe,I, for the delivery of water therefrom,thcse pipes being fitted withsuitable check-valves, to prevent areflow of the water therein. It ismade ready for use by placing a gas-furnace or other suitable calorificdevice under the steam-generator O.

In the operation of the apparatus the cock D is opened, so that thegenerator 0 is supplied with water from the chamber B. The water, spreadout in a very thin sheet between the walls of the generator, is therebyexposed to a comparativelylargeheating-surface,so astobecome veryquickly converted into steam. The steam thus rapidly generated passesfreely upward through the pipe Eto the top of the working-chamber A,and,bearing with its full pressure upon the upper surface of the watertherein,will force this water down and out of the bottom of said chamberinto the water-chamber B, causing an outward flow of the water alreadyin said chamber B through the discharge-pipe at I. As the water isforced out from the working-chamber A, it will also be driven outsimultaneously from the trapped exhaust-tube F until the bend orsealing-point of the exhaust-tube is reached at the level k, whereupon,as the tube becomes unsealed by the removal of the water, an upward ventis thereby supplied, through which the steam confined under pressure inthe working-chamber will instantly escape, and, issuing into thewater-chamber B, will be condensed by contact with the fresh watertherein. The rapid exhaust of the steam through the exhausttube willcreate a void in the working-chamber,which the water in the bottom ofthe water-chamber will rush back to fill, creating thereby a vacuum inthe latter, which will create an inward flow of fresh water thereintofrom the supply-pipe.

It will be observed that a large proportion of the water forced out ofthe working-chamber will be drawn back into it again, while the freshwater drawn from the supply-pipe will be forced out through thedischarge-pipe without entering the working-chamber. The volume of waterthus forced in and out of the bottom of the working chamber becomesheated, and serves as a non-conducting fluidpiston between the steam andthe fresh water flowing through the pumps.

It will also be observed that slight condensation takes place in theworking-chamber, but that the steam is drawn out therefrom with apowerful draft through the exhausttube when the latter is unsealed, byreason of the condensation which takes place at the outer end of .thetube and of the pressure of the column of water entering at the bottomof the working-chamber, due to the momentary difference in level betweensaid chamber and the water chamber, from which the water flows. IVhenthe entire volume of steam in constructed as above described, far enoughbelow the bottom of the working-chamber. to admit of the interpositionof a non-conducting lining, or of an air space, J, between them, thebottom of the working-chamber being closed by an independent plate, L;second, in conneotingthe feed-opening into the steam-generator with theinterior of the working-chamber Aby means of a feed-tube, D, extendingand opening into the upper portion of said chamber, so thatthe feedwatersupplied through the tube to the generator shall be drawn from the upperheated strata in the working; chamber, the length of the feed-tube beingso adjusted with reference to the trapped exhaust-tube F as that thesupply of water to the generator shall almost cease by reason of thefall of the water level below the upper end of the tube just before thecondensation of steam in the apparatus takes place by the operation ofthe exhaust, as

above described. sation of the operation of the pump under conditions inwhich the supply of water through theupper end of the tube M mighttprovei11- adequate, one or more small perforations, m

m, may be made in said feed-tube D, near the bottom of the chamber 13,as shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3 the exhaust -tube is represented as bentto form its own seal, instead of being left straight andencircled by aconcentric trap, as shownin Fig. 2. A cap or deflecting-plate, O, isalso fitted over its upper end, to diffuse the steam escaping therefrom,and (by presenting it to the cold water in smaller quantities around theedge-of said plate or through minute perforationstherein) .to effect its'condensation more rapidly and with less noise than when the tube isleft uncovered;

In the form of my apparatus illustrated .in

Fig. 1 the working-chamber ,is in the shape of an upright cylinderclosed at the top, and

which communicates freely at the bottom through a large pipe or passage,N, with the bottom of a separate water-chamber, B, elevated above it. Anexhaust-tube, F, extends from near the bottom of a concentrictrap, G, inthe working-chamber up into the waterchamber B, its upper endterminating beneath a-conical deflecting-plate, 0. It may be led fromthe one chamber to the other either by way of the connecting-pipe N, asshown in positive :lines, or more directly through the top of theworking-chamber, as shown in Fig. 5. In either case it may be controlledby a To prevent a possible cesinto the pocket I), and thence up into thepipe valve, P, interposed therein between the two chambers, althoughthis is by no means essential.

The water-chamber B and the working- 7o chamber A are mounted togetherupon a suitable base or pedestal, R, adapted to contain or inclose thesteam-generator.

The steam-generator may consist of a coil of pipe, (see Fig. 4,) or,preferably, of a concavoconvex metallic shell, 0, Fig. 1,whoseconcentric walls are separated by a very narrow or shallow interval,andwhich is supported within the baseR of the apparatus, with its convexside downward. At the lowermost point inthis cup shaped generator adepression or pocket, I), is formed, and an open water-supply tube, D,is carried from near the bottom of this pocket up into the exhaust-tubeF of the working-chamber above its trap. This tube 8 5 is controlledby'a cook or valve, 0, therein, whereby the flow or feed from the pipeis adjusted at pleasure. l

In the operation of the apparatus constructed and arranged in manner aslast described, when the steam, flowing from the generator, has forcedthe water out of thewo'rkingchamber A down to the sealing-level 7c ofthe trap in the exhaust-tube F, and, unsealing the trap, escapes withgreat force up the tube, thestrong current flowing over the month of thefeedpipe Dwill, upon the principle of an injector, create a strong draftin said pipe, which will i operate to draw all the water in thegenerator D, so that the generation of steam will be therebyautomatically arrested for want of water during the interval of exhaustin the working-chamber. So soon, however, as the reflowing water fillsthe trap and again seals the exhaust-pipe F, the hot water in thefeed-pipe D and pocket I) will drop back into the generator and bequickly converted into steam,t0 renew the pressure in theworkingchamber.

In View of the changes in the flow of water from the supply-pipe, andother circumstances which may tend to produce irregularities of action,I deem it expedient to combine a check-valve, L, with the upper end ofthe steam-pipe E, to prevent an admission of wa-- ter to the generatorthrough said pipe. The weight of this valve may be adjusted to maintaina constant definite pressure ofsteam in the generator, and will preventan outflow of water with the steam.

In Fig. 4 the steam-discharge pipe E is illustrated as led from theupper end of the generator to the top of the working-chamber through aninclosing tube or case, f,which protects the steam-pipe from radiationand from contact with the cold water in said chamber. Its upper end isfitted with a valve, P, to control the size of its outlet. By tliuscontrolling the size of the outlet for the steam from the generator thefeed of water to the generator may be so controlled as that it shallsupply automatically the exact quantity of water required to a 4 g I287,579

produce the amount of steam needed in the working of the pump, for byclosing the valve, so as to limit the discharge of the steam, thepressure accumulating within the generator while the steam is generatedfaster than it can escape will force back the feed-water in thefeed-pipe against the pressure exerted thereon from the working-chamberor other source whence it is supplied, and thus stop the feed, and byreason of the consequent deficiency of water in the generator arrest thegeneration of steam until the pressure is so far reduced as that it willno longer counterbalance the feed-pressure, and a new supply of water isallowed to enter. The pump itself is thus made to dictate the feed ofwater to the generator. I contemplate making this automatic feed devicethe subject-matter of a separate application for Letters Patent, towhich I hereby reserve my right.

Fig. 4 illustrates'the use of a coil of pipe, S, as a generator. Thecoil S, arranged within the base It, may be heated by a gas or coalfurnace or other calorific device, the workingehamber above beingprotected from the heat by means of a plate, Y, and interposednoncondueting material. The coil is supplied with water by means of anindependent pipe, 'D, controlled by a valve, 0, and which is ledoutwardly from the bottom of the coil to the lower end of theworking-chamber, and thence up within the chamber nearly to the topthereof.

The valve 1? (shown in Fig. 4) and the valve L, (shown in Fig. 1,) bothas controlling the steam-pipe E from the generator, may be combined tooperate as one device.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5 the base R is extended up solidly,or as a frame, to illclose the working-chamber, and upon it rests astrong metal plate, T, which supports the other parts of the apparatus.The walls of the concave-convex steam-generator 0, constructed in samemanner as shown in Fig. 1, are extended upward in cylindrical form, toencircle the working-ehamber, which is made with a thick wall ofnon-conducting material, whose outer surface constitutes the innersurface of the steam-generator. The outer wall of the generator isconnected by a steam-tight joint to the plate T. The working-chamber Ais suspended from said plate by means of set-screws c c, which permit ofan adjustment of the annular opening left between the top of the chamberand the plate above, and which establishes communication with the upperend of the steam-generator. The water-chamber Bis supported centrallyover and upon the plate T, and the connecting-pipe Ntherefrom is carriedcentrally through said plate down nearly to the bottom of theworking-chamber. The water-supply pipe D to the generator is led fromthe trap of the exhaust-pipe down into the pocket b at the bottom of thegenerator.

A concentric vessel, \V, of thin metal, is inserted within thesteam-generator, to form a partition thereimextending from near the topto the bottom thereof, for the purpose of permitting a return throughthe inner compartment, formed by the partition, of any water which maybe carried up with the ascending steam, leaving the steam to pass upinto the working-chamber by way 01" the outer compartment perfectly dry.

Perforated plates or diaphragms U U may 7 5 be inserted horizontally inthe water-chamber B of either form of the pump, to prevent circulation,so that the incoming cold water shall not mix with the warmer water,which, not being discharged at each stroke, remains pul- 8o sating upand down, as an intermediate hot fluid-piston or diaphragm interposedbetween the steam and the body of water, which, enteringat theinduction-port from the supplypipe H, flows out on the same levelthrough the eduction-port into the discharge-pipe I.

I claim as my invention 1. The method, substantially as described, ofexhausting the steam from the workingehamber of a steam vacuum pump,which 0 consists in applying to the steam in the working-chamber thepressure of a column of water contained in a sepaate water-chamber at ahigher level by means of the open connection of said higherwater-chamber with the lower o5 portion of the working-chamber, and inproviding for the steam subjected to said pressure an exhaust-vent sosoon as it has forced the water out from the workingchamber to a givenlevel by means of a water-trapped tube connecting the upper part of saidchamber with a separate condensing chamber, and which is automaticallyunsealed by the depression of the water therein to said level,substantially in the mannerset forth.

2. The method, substantially as described, of automatically arrestingthe feed of water to the boiler of a combined boiler and steamvacuum-pump at the moment of exhausting the steam from itsworking-chamber, which consists in connecting the feed water pipe withthe exhaust pipe, through which the steam is withdrawn from theworkingchamber when the discharge from the pump is completed,substantially in the manner set forth.

3. The method, substantially as described, of exhausting the water fromthe boiler of a combined boiler and steam vacuum -pump, which consistsin, producing a vacuum in a tube connected with the lowermost level ofthe boiler by extending the open mouth of said tube into thesteam-exhaust pipe of the working-chamber of the pump and allowing steamto escape around the same, substantially in I2 5 manner as set forth.

4. The combination, with the steam-pressure or working chamber of asteam vacuum-pump, and with a separate condensing-chamber communicatingfreely with the bottom of said working-chamber, of a water sealed ortrapped steam-exhaust pipe leading from the one to the other,substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

5. The combination, 'in a steam vacuumpump, with its pressure andcondensing chambers, of a steam-generator located below said chambers,and provided with .a water-feed pipe supplied therefrom, and asteam-outlet pipe opening into the pressurebhamber, subtantially in themanner and for the purpose herein set forth.

6. The combination, in an automatic steam waterelevating apparatus, withits steampressure or working-chamber, of a quick-acting steamgeneratorcommunicating freely with the top of the working chamber, andconstructed with a maximum heating and vaporizing surface, and acapacity so small as to admit of being completely exhausted ateach'condensation of the steam in the working-chamber, a separatereservoir or water chamber communicating freely with and extending abovethe bottom of the working-chamber,

and suitable supply and discharge pipes controlled by check-valvesopening into the water-chamber, substantially in the manner and for thepurpose herein set forth.

7. The combination, with the steam pressure or working chamber in asteamvacuumpump, a trapped steam-exhaust tube extending therefrom into acondensing-chamber, and

a quick-acting steam-generatorof small ca-- pacity communicating freelywith the upper end of the working-chamber, of a feed-pipe extending fromthe lowermost portion of the generator into the steam-exhaust tube, andadapted to be itself exhausted by the escape of steam through saidtube,'substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

8. The combination, with the steam-pressure or working chamber in asteam vacuumpump, its steam-generator, and a steam-supply pipe ledthrough the working-chamber and discharging into its upper end, of aconcentric tube encirclingsaid steam-pipe to form a non-conducting outerlining or covering and prevent condensation in thepipe,

substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

9. The combination, with the working and condensing chambersin'a steamvacuum-pump, and with a trapped exhaust-tube leading from the one to theother, of a conical deflecting plate or cap superimposed over the upperend of'said exhaust-tube within the condensingchamber, substantially inthe manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

10. The combination, with the condensing or water chamber in a steamvacuum-pump having its water supply and discharge pipes both connectedthereto, and with the working-chamber communicating with the bottom ofsaid condensing-chamber, of one or more perforated diaphragms interposedbetween the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

CARROLL L. BIKER.

lVitnesses EDWARD Ross, C. GULLMANN.

